Top Coffee Growing Regions in the World

When you pour a cup of your favorite coffee in the wee hours of the morning, the last thing you’re thinking about is if it came from one of the top coffee growing regions. However, as time allows and you experiment with different types of coffee, you may pay closer attention to the origin.

It’s important to remember that not all coffee is the same. Coffee is grown in many parts of the world, with each region bringing something unique to the industry. For example, altitude, weather conditions and soil have a major impact on both quality and taste.

With that in mind, let’s examine the four top coffee regions in the world:

1. Central America

For many years, Central America has been known as the number one coffee-growing region in the world. The countries at the forefront of the industry include:

Thanks to differing altitudes throughout the region, Central America produces a diverse range of coffee flavors. With the perfect amount of acidity, many people will only drink coffee that comes from a Central American country.

Southern Mexico is home to the El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve. It is a unique growing region for highly sought after coffee. El Triunfo is notable for its cloud forests and is home to 548 species of terrestrial vertebrates and 588 species of butterflies and moths.

2. South America

It may not receive as much attention as Central America, but South America has plenty to offer coffee drinkers.

In fact, Brazil is the largest coffee producing country in the world. While the country struggled with consistency for many years, this has changed as of late. Brazilian coffee is now known far and wide for its low acidity, creamy body, and a variety of flavors.

Just the same, Colombia, which is located at the northern tip of South America, has the perfect climate and location for producing some of the best coffee in the world.

Lesser known than their Colombia neighbors, the coffee from Peru is also amazing and consistently one of the top selling origins at Grumpy Goat Coffee.

Even less know is Bolivia where a small number of specialty coffee farms are operating.

3. Africa

Don’t sleep on Africa. There are many countries in the Lake Kivu region that are known for producing high quality coffee. For example, Ethiopia, which is home to the Arabica tree, is known for its bold flavor and natural approach to growing coffee.

Head to the other side of Africa and you’ll find Kenya, a country known for its milder acidic coffee with fruity notes. Tanzania is well-known for its production of peaberry coffee. Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo all have coffee farms operating at high altitude that produce some of the world’s best tasting coffee.

4. Indonesia and Vietnam

Indonesia and Vietnam are two of the world’s leading coffee producers, and their specialty coffees are quickly gaining a reputation for their unique flavors and high quality.

Indonesia is the world’s fourth-largest coffee producer, and its coffee industry has a long and rich history. Coffee was first introduced to Indonesia in the 17th century by Dutch colonists, and it quickly became a major export crop. Today, various Indonesian islands are home to some of the most prized Arabica coffees in the world.

Indonesia’s specialty coffees are known for their complex flavors and aromas. Some of the most popular Indonesian specialty coffees include:

  • Sumatra: This coffee is grown in the highlands of Sumatra, Indonesia, and it is known for its smooth, creamy flavor with hints of fruit and spice.
  • Java: Coffee from the Preanger region in Western Java is sweet with winey fruit acidity with cedar and sweet bell pepper flavors.
  • Sulawesi: This coffee is grown in the highlands of Sulawesi, Indonesia, and it is known for its bright, acidic flavor with hints of fruit and floral notes.
  • Papua New Guinea: In the eastern highlands the coffee can have melon, blackberry, grapefruit, cane sugar, and buttermilk flavors.

Vietnam is the world’s second-largest coffee producer, and it is the largest producer of Robusta coffee. Robusta coffee is a type of coffee that is known for its high caffeine content and its bold flavor. On their own, Robusta beans are not much of a tolerable beverage but when blended in with Arabica beans, the industry has learned to make a variety of commercial coffee products, including instant coffee and canned coffee. Robusta beans are what give off the crema you see on a typical espresso coffee.

In recent years, Vietnam has also begun to produce a variety of specialty Arabica coffees. These coffees are grown in the country’s Central Highlands, such as the Lan Dong region, and they are known for their mellow, smooth flavor and delicate aroma, often with cherry, praline, and cocoa flavors.

Top Coffee Growing Regions

These are the four top coffee growing regions in the world, but don’t hesitate to experiment with products that come from other areas. You never know when you’ll find something that makes your taste buds dance.

The specialty coffee market is growing rapidly, and all of the aforementioned regions are well-positioned to capitalize on this growth. These coffee growing countries have a strong agricultural sector and a growing middle class, which is creating a demand for high-quality coffee.

In addition, many coffee famers are committed to improving the quality of their coffee. The governments of both countries are investing in research and development, and they are working to improve the quality of coffee production.

As a result of these factors, the prospects are strong for the specialty coffee market. In the years to come, we can expect to see more and more options for high-quality coffees available for import to the United States, to our roastery and ultimately to your kitchen table.